Most of us know of the Holocaust as the systematic, state-sponsored torture and murder of…six million Jews during World War II. My idea for this piece came to me as I was researching for a university paper a few years ago. I was in the deep shelves of a library when I discovered a book of pictures, songs, and poems written by Holocaust victims in ghettoes and concentration camps. For me, art has always been the only escape from difficult moments in life. For members of the Jewish community during the Holocaust, music, dance, and visual art were the only ways to unite against devastating brutality. They had lost everything-- stripped of normal ways to resist such as weapons and communication, torn from their families and friends and deprived of their identities. Amidst such horror, these people were able to find hope in their hearts and calmness in their minds when they united through the arts. This piece is dedicated to both victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Extensive research of the topic was undertaken by both the choreographer and the dancers. Choreography by Jacqui WillisRead More

We all know of the Holocaust as the bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of over…million Jews by the Nazis. We read about their stories in our textbooks, and we witness their suffering through film and television. About three years ago I was sitting in a lecture on the Holocaust and the professor began to mention the immense production of art and music in both ghettoes and concentration camps. Art has the power to unite people, and to heal deep psychological and emotional wounds. In the face of incredible brutality and the loss of family, friends, and even one's own identity, Holocaust victims found joy in music, dance, and visual art. When their physical strength was taken from them, when they found themselves stripped of weapons, communication, or any other normal form of resistance, they turned to art to maintain calmness and peace in their hearts. This piece is based on the struggle to find that unique kind of freedom and strength that we can only experience when we engage with the arts. Choreography by Jacqui WillisRead More